Bleacher Report - Articles by Yates Boykin

What If Tim Tebow Was Black?

Yates Boykin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:18:03 -0400

Before you read this article, know that I am in no way intending to be racist, biased, or maleficent. I am purely asking a legitimate question that may be offensive to some.

Now, why did I feel the need to post that paragraph above? It is because many people around the world think so highly of University of Florida quarterback, Tim Tebow. And if you don't think highly of him, then you are blind, negative, illogical, or non-christian.

I was talking to a friend from Georgia yesterday. He told me that a few Sunday's ago at his church, someone stood up during the service and asked everyone to pray for Tim Tebow after he suffered a concussion.

Over the years, Tebow has certainly generated an inspiring life testament. He was almost aborted as a child. He was born in the Philippines. He was a home-schooled missionary.

However, his play on the football field is what has inspired many. He fires up his team. He gives tear-jerking speeches after losses. He plays bigger than most linebackers. He has led Florida to two national championships, while gathering a Heisman trophy along the way.

Most people would agree that those things are great. But let us take a step back and from the exalted light and ask ourselves this: Would I think so highly of Tim Tebow if he was an African American?

This is a legitimate question no matter what race you are.

My opinion is that there would be no where near as much glory exalted upon Tebow if he was black.

If a black player were to display the same kind of on-field antics as Tebow displays, the black player would be called a thug.

It is a fact that Tim Tebow has never been flagged for excessive celebration. Yet, after almost every somewhat good play he has, he celebrates like he just won the lottery.

Earlier this month, AJ Green from Georgia was flagged for a celebration after making a potential game-winning touchdown versus LSU. The celebration certainly was not excessive (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-qccCuL4nQ).

Last season, during the National Championship game versus Oklahoma, Tebow blatantly taunted an Oklahoma player (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A4U216fG_8).

Watch those videos and decide for yourself which one is more excessive.

Why do refs seem to turn their heads when Tim Tebow celebrates? Is it purely political? They don't want to put a bad image on the college football poster boy.

The media is guilty as well. They may not turn away, but they give excuses for Tebow's actions. They say, "Man, Tebow is so passionate about this game!"

Last season, Florida whooped FSU at Doak Campbell. It is traditionally a heated matchup, so the emotions were flying. But is taunting the crowd and players really "passion for the game"? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WytseYY0mSc)

You can argue that it's passion, but it is also excessive taunting.

Another aspect of Tim Tebow's attitude that the media tends to thrive on is his leadership.

When Tim Tebow runs along the sideline yelling, flailing his arms around in hopes of encouraging his team, he is seen as a wonderful leader (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-qodBTlMtA).

When an African American player does the same thing, just in a different body language, he is seen as being a hooligan.

Just clear your mind before watching your next college football game. Listen for the subtle biased comments that are uttered.

Some may argue that Tebow is not looking to taunt, or put down the other team. He is just a great christian kid that loves the game.

What makes him so great? His resume? The bible verses that are printed under his eyes?

There are other great christian football players in college who have great resumes and great bible verses on their faces, but do not get the attention that Tebow does.

I'm not saying that Tebow is not a Christian, or that the attention he receives is undeserved, but it just seems like he uses his Christianity as stepping stool to spotlight.

Actually, in the same bible that Tebow's verses descended from, it is printed "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12 NIV)

Yes, we all make mistakes, and we are all selfish, but Tebow's actions on the field seem to say: "Look at me! Look at me! I'm the greatest thing to grace this earth since Jesus Christ".

Remember his midseason pledge last season after UF lost to Ole Miss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AANukKd64X0)? Who was the focus on? It seems like it was all about him.

That does not seem like a humble attitude to me, it seems like a self-exalting one.

Let's say an African American player was an exact replica of Tim Tebow, just with a different skin color of course. This player did the same things as Tebow. This player is a professed Christian and he has won multiple awards. Would you esteem this player as much as you do Tebow?

You may now be thinking after reading all of that, that this article is irrelevant and inconclusive. I believe that it is just as relevant and conclusive as writing an article predicting the SEC champion.

You may also think that I am only jealous. I agree that Tim Tebow is a great player. He has done some great things. He has earned a lot of his hype. He will probably go down as one of the greatest college football players ever.

But think what you want, there is still prejudice and racism in this country. It's not as alive or apparent as it used to be, but there are definitely undertones of it everywhere.

As a fellow fan of sports and as a fellow human, I challenge you to be fair in your judgement of others no matter what ethnicity, background, status, or success.

To judge where you are at, again, honestly ask yourself this question: If Tim Tebow was black, would I really like him as much?

Anger: The Collective Emotion Of The Seminole Nation

Yates Boykin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:24:44 -0400

For FSU football, the last couple of weeks have been depressing. That's to say the least.

I took a break from writing. I do not feel inspired to write consistently for an inconsistent football team.

Not necessarily filled with inspiration, I am back, even though my team is not.

Earlier today, the 'Noles got beat by the power-house (sarcasm) Boston College. FSU's play suggests that there is something seriously wrong with the program, and this makes me, along with many Florida State fans, very mad!

Here are some reasons why FSU is so pitiful and why the Seminole nation is enraged:

The biggest reason for the inferiority is well, inferior coaching.

I hate to state this, but it is finally time for Bobby Bowden to retire. Something is missing from Florida State. I cannot define what that thing is. It may be swagger. It may be strategy. It may be lack of enthusiasm. It may be all of those things. Whatever it is, something needs to change.

I also hate to state this, but defensive coordinator, Mickey Andrews, needs to step down, soon. He has announced that he will retire, but it seems like that time can't arrive soon enough. FSU's defense looks like a high school defense.

Even offensive coordinator, Jimbo Fisher, has seemed average since the BYU game. The 'Noles can't score in the red zone. Fisher's big offensive strategy is clock management; however, if you can't put up points, then your clock management ends up biting you down the stretch.

The Seminoles need a fresh look and feel.

Now, here are some reasons why 'Nole fans are enraged with their team:

I do not play for FSU, but I know for a fact that the players are not exerting themselves on every play. Constraint is usually a good thing, but the players appear to be too constrained. It seems as if they are playing not to lose.

On defense, a lot of FSU players seem timid. The defensive linemen are inconsistent with both the run and pass-rush, the linebackers miss too many tackles, and the defensive backs are a mix of everything wrong.

The same goes for the offense; the players seem timid. The running backs are not hitting the holes very quickly, Christian Ponder makes bad throws in crunch time, the offensive line makes pre-snap mistakes, and the wide receivers drop critical passes.

Those statements are not necessarily true for all of the players all of the time, but the statements are certainly true enough to cause FSU to lose games.

All of those things irritate me, and those things also irritate most of the Seminole nation. Threads titled, "We Suck" and "we are the worst", have already appeared on a popular Florida State website.

You can call those threads stupid or foolish, but many are tired of waiting on the 'Noles to "cross that line". I am certainly one of those who are tired of it.

I grew up with an FSU team that dominated every week. Where has that gone?

If the Seminoles do not start winning some games, then I, along with many other 'Nole fans, will seek anger management courses, or resort to punching nearby objects.

Rational and Raving Comments From The 'Nole Nation

Yates Boykin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:08:51 -0400

Seminole fans everywhere are shamed, shocked, saddened, stupefied, sobered, and sickened after last night's crushing loss to Miami.

I attended the game, and I was able to take note of many comments that were flying around Doak Campbell. Some were rational, while others were raving.

Here are a few that I believe are rational:

"Our secondary sucks!"

This is very true. Our secondary made Jacory Harris look like an all-star, which he is not.

Patrick Robinson, whose picture was featured on the entry ticket, did not look like a first-round draft pick.

Mangum and Jenije looked like confused toddlers the entire game. Jenije was behind every single big passing play Miami turned in. Literally.

"There was absolutely no pressure from the d-line!"

Spot on. FSU's defensive line applied minimal pressure on Miami's Harris. The only pressure that Harris felt was when linebackers or defensive backs blitzed.

The defensive tackle spot looked particularly shaky. Budd Thacker is not a good enough player to see the field at FSU, but he does. He was embarrassed play after play.

"Ponder is too inaccurate!"

This remark is somewhat true. Christian Ponder had a decent game; it definitely could have been better.

When it came to deep throws, Ponder seemed to under-throw and not put enough air under the ball.

And of course there is the last four plays. Ponder looked like he was rushing his throws. In turn, the passes were inaccurate. He admitted this after the game.

"The clock management was awful!"

The clock management was not very good by the coaches or the referees.

On the last drive, FSU had ample time to score, but with only one timeout and confused players, 20 critical seconds ticked off of the clock. This could have been avoided.

And then there is the last play. Pictures clearly show that one second is left on the clock when the ball hit the ground. This would have given Florida State one last chance to score.

The play was reviewed, but the brilliant referees did not even check to see if time remained once the ball hit the dirt. I guess reviewing those things is unimportant?

None of that can be changed now, but many 'Nole fans are angry about that one second.

All of those comments seemed legitimate. However, as we all know, there are those people out there who make outrageous comments when angered (I'm included).

Here are some of those outrageous comments that I believe fit the category of raving:

"Jimbo Fisher is terrible. He shouldn't be our next head coach!"

This is one of the stupidest comments I heard. Putting up 34 points against Miami is pretty impressive. The play-calling was solid all game.

Fisher has directed Florida State back into the right direction.

Saying something irrational like that because of one loss seems ignorant and blind to me.

"Jarmon Fortson should never see the field again."

This is entirely uncalled for. I recently wrote an article stating that Fortson could be FSU's playmaker. In the first half, he most definitely was.

In the second half, he did have some dropped passes. But believe me, this game only made Jarmon better.

That last play was not his fault. Fortson had a clear 30 yard radius around him, Ponder slung it in the dirt.

Fortson will not have another game like last night's, and he will develop into the player that the coaches and teammates see in him.

"The season is over!"

This was definitely the most common outburst. I initially had that feeling, but I slowed down and rationalized. The season is not over.

There are plenty of games left to play. Plenty. FSU is a better team than what was displayed last night.

If Florida State were to play Miami later in the season, FSU would win by two touchdowns. That is completely unbiased.

I still believe FSU can play in Tampa Bay in December. It might be an FSU-Miami rematch...you never know.

Standing in Doak Campbell Stadium last night felt good again, even though the outcome was a loss. The fans were wild, and there was this certain atmosphere that was similar to the '90s atmosphere.

If that last play would have been a touchdown, you better believe that Doak would have collapsed. That obviously did not happen, but keep your heads up 'Noles. The future is bright, even though last night was repulsive.

Who Is Going to Be Florida State's Offensive Playmaker?

Yates Boykin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:32:13 -0400

Every team has a playmaker. Every team needs a playmaker. Florida State is without a proven playmaker.

In the past, FSU has produced some outstanding playmakers. A few that come to mind are Charlie Ward, Warrick Dunn, Peter Warrick, and Deion Sanders. Notice that all of these players made their mark in the '90s.

All of those guys played in the past. It is now 2009, and the 'Noles need somebody to step up and be "that guy" who can turn heads and break ankles.

Most rational people who know something about football would look at FSU and say, "That team has some athletes. They recruit well, they have good coaches, and they have done well over the years."

So, why is this question being asked?

Last year, Florida State had a fairly solid group of players last season. However, none of them really stood out.

Greg Carr could have been the playmaker, but he was not used enough. Preston Parker was supposed to be that guy, but he just didn't show much flash. Corey Surrency was the go-to guy at his JUCO college, but it did not translate to that much at FSU.

All three of those players are wide receivers. Most of the time your playmakers are also going to be receivers, but not always.

Coming out of high school, Antone Smith was predicted by some to be an All-American. He did some good things last year, but he obviously did not live up to the bold expections.

The players mentioned are no longer on the team. One of the players (Corey Surrency) got ripped off by the NCAA. (I had to include that sad and revolting piece of info).

This season, there is certainly potential, but no true experience or validation.

At wide receiver, the common playmaker position, FSU has some guys that can possibly be a go-to type player.

Bert Reed may turn into Florida State's point man. He played soundly last year and he certainly has the speed and shiftiness needed.

Jarmon Fortson has the size and hands needed. Taiwan Easterling is arguably the most solid returning player. True freshman Willie Haulstead has impressed in practice. Louis Givens was surprisingly effective last season.

One of these players will need to take it to the next level this season. Hopefully, all of them will.

The Seminoles are loaded at running back, but again, there is not much experience between any of them.

Jermaine Thomas was impressive as a freshmen last year, but he played behind Antone Smith. Thomas will be the starter this season and he could turn out to be one of the surprises in the ACC.

Ty Jones showed some amplitude last year. Tavares Pressley was a beast in JUCO ball, averaging 173 rushing yards a game. These two fellows will absolutely add some legitimate depth at the running back position.

Chris Thompson and Lonnie Pryor, both true freshmen, have made notable contributions in practice. But neither have played in a college game.

Down the road, both of these freshmen are going to do very well. Thompson has already been compared to Warrick Dunn by some of his own teammates.

Then there is the quarterback spot. FSU has not exactly had an exciting, difference-making (a good difference at that) QB in the past few years.

The starting quarterback is returning junior, Christian Ponder. Not exactly playmaker material; however, he did show some potential in a few games last year. Miami comes to mind...

EJ Manuel, who I believe will be the best FSU quarterback of this decade, sits behind Ponder. Manuel has the potential to be nasty and he will unquestionably contribute this season.

That is practically a rundown of the players who have the best shot at being playmakers for the Seminoles.

My inclination is to believe that Jarmon Fortson is going to be the go-to guy by the end of the season. His incredible athletic dexterity is going to be exploited by Jimbo Fisher.

My hope is that all of the guys mentioned will explode and exceed expectations. The 'Noles cannot afford for all of those individuals to play with mediocrity, as seemed the case last season.

Oh Where Oh Where Has The Swagger Gone?

Yates Boykin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:12:49 -0400

In the 1999 College Football National Championship game, the undefeated Florida State Seminoles faced the Hokies of Virginia Tech. The game was played at the Louisiana Superdome. The atmosphere was wild.

Before the game began, starters from each team were individually announced. When announced, the players would run out of a tunnel filled with smoke.

A Seminole, by the name of Peter Warrick, did something that exemplified FSU football at that time. When Warrick's name was called, he jogged out of the tunnel, stopped, and then proceeded to do his best Hokie (whatever that thing may be) impersonation.

But that's not it. He backed up the impersonation by embarrassing the Virginia Tech defense on more than one occasion. He had over 160 yards receiving and three touchdowns, including a 59-yard punt return. Warrick ended up being the MVP of that game.

Pretty impressive; however, that is in the past. Now the question that is being asked is, where has that "swagger" gone?

Bill Parcells used to say, "You are what your record says you are." That is usually true.

Florida State's record in the past five years is most definitely the reason for the decline in swagger. The record can be blamed on the coaching staff (Mr. Jeff Bowden in particular), the players, or even the school as a whole.

Most people tend to pass the blame on certain coaches, and I tend to agree with those people.

Players like Peter Warrick are confident in their teams when they win. In turn, that makes the players confident in their play. Players like Peter Warrick have true swagger.

The Noles just have not done a good job of winning in the past few years. They have turned mediocre.

Will the swagger ever return?

This off-season, things are looking bright. The FSU players, who just started practicing earlier this month, have been receiving great reviews from coaches and other critics.

Most of the great reviews have been made over the freshmen. Freshmen like Greg Reid, Jajuan Harley, and Demonte McAllister

There is a certain attitude that came with those guys. They seem to have that "swagger" that was so prominent in the 90s. These guys believe that FSU can return to their winning ways.

The freshmen are not the only players who attain that attitude. Sophomores like Bert Reed, Nigel Bradham, and Nick Moody have that swagger.

This does not take anything away from the juniors or seniors. A lot of those guys have the right attitude as well, but the underclassmen seem to have more.

Some may argue that swagger usually relates to trouble off the field. This may be true in some instances. Peter Warrick did have some off-field trouble. But a certain FSU player by the name of Deion "Primetime" Sanders, who definitely had swagger (http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080609aaa.html), have turned out to be alright. Deion now sponsors a huge youth football program in Dallas, Texas.

"Primetime" did have questionable instances with the media and others, but his love for football and competition was always apparent. Now, his love for youth is apparent as well.

Swagger, swank, gloat, or whatever you may call it is surely a positive thing when it comes to playing football. The player with swagger is usually the player with the fiercest competitiveness. Competition is good for football.

Florida State WILL return to their winning ways. The Seminoles WILL become very competitive again. In return, the legitimate swagger WILL return to the team.

The future of FSU football is good hands. Now, we have to wait and see if the swagger that seems to be creeping up on the team, equals success on the field.

Florida State-Miami: Another Labor Day Battle

Yates Boykin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:35:16 -0400

This football season, as in many seasons in the past, the Seminoles will play their first game on Labor Day versus their in-state rivals, the Miami Hurricanes.

Last year's match-up took place in Miami, during what seemed to be a torrential monsoon. The Seminoles won the game, but not without a tough challenge from the 'Canes. The final score was 41-39.

Look for this year's game to be another close one. Although Florida State is seen as a better overall team, Miami will not make the game easy for the 'Noles.

Miami's Randy Shannon is on the hot seat once again this season. With major coaching changes (offensive and defensive coordinator), he looks to boost the 'Canes back into a dominating program.

The Hurricane's offense will be led by sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris. He put up respectable numbers for a freshman last year (1,195 yds passing, 12 TDs) and he definitely has the ability to become a dangerous offensive weapon. FSU has struggled with quarterbacks of Harris's type in the past.

Graig Cooper will be returning at running back. He had a solid 841 yards rushing last year. He will be running behind three returning starters on the offensive line. However, depth is an area of concern for the OL.

At receiver, Miami has talent, but with no real game-changer. Travis Benjamin, who did run all over FSU last year, is returning at wide receiver, but his biggest contribution will most likely be on special teams.

Florida State, on the other hand, has gone under no coaching changes; although, Bobby Bowden will likely retire after this season. As with with Miami, Florida State is also trying to boost their team back into a dominating program.

The 'Noles offense will be led by junior quarterback Christian Ponder. Although his stats were not outstanding last season (2,006 yds passing, 14 TDs, 13 INTs), Ponder has received much praise from coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher. Fisher said that Ponder has become "much more confident" and that he has a "grasp of everything that is going on."

In last year's game, Ponder was able to beat the 'Canes on many plays with his legs. The same thing may happen this year, but Miami will most likely be ready and will not be surprised if Ponder takes off and runs.

Sophomore Jermaine Thomas will most likely be the starting running back on Labor Day. As a freshmen, he put up surprising stats (482 yds rushing, 7.0 yds avg a carry). This year should be even better. He will be running behind an experienced offensive line led by junior guard Rodney Hudson.

At receiver, Florida State is in a similar situation as Miami. They have plenty of talent, but no proven game-changer. Greg Carr punished Miami's defensive backs last year, but now that he is graduated, FSU is without a go-to receiver. Look for guys like Taiwan Easterling and Jarmon Fortson to fill that role.

Offense should be FSU's area of strength this year, unlike recent years.

So, will Miami have an answer for Jimbo Fisher's offense? Yes and no.

New defensive coordinator John Lovett has a fully able defense, but not many of his defenders have real experience. Miami has the speed to keep up with FSU, but has Lovett been able to control that speed?

The defensive line for Miami returns only one starter, but Shannon rotated linemen very well last year. So, the D-line will have some experience. They will need to create pressure on Christian Ponder and Jermaine Thomas if they want any chance of stopping the 'Noles offensive attack.

The linebacker corps is the real strong-point of the 'Canes defense. They are led by a young sophomore, Sean Spence, who was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year last year. He did damage to Florida State last year.

The secondary is really the big question mark of the Hurricanes' defense. The defense as a whole only recorded four picks last season, only were made by the secondary. This lack of turnovers is from a lack of play-makers. In Miami's case, a lack of play-makers in the secondary turned into the inability to pass rush or put any real pressure Christian Ponder last year.

Florida State's defense finds themselves in a similar bind as Miami's. There is big talent, but lack of experience in certain areas.

The defensive line for Florida State seemed to struggle at times last year. The struggle was mainly due to the interior linemen. The interior guys were said to have "underachieved" by many. The heavily scrutinized interior, will have to clog up the middle and stop Craig Cooper.

This season, the defensive line returns some important contributors. The biggest loss was defensive end, Everette Brown. However, senior Markus White, a former JUCO defensive player of the year, has the ability to fill that void and force Jacory Harris to make mistakes.

The linebackers for FSU are arguably the most athletic guys on the team. Led by senior Dekoda Watson and sophomore Nigel Bradham, look for the Seminole linebackers to be the play-makers in this game.

The secondary for Florida State is a little troubling for 'Nole fans to think about. There are some highly talented freshmen, but they have no experience. Cornerback Patrick Robinson will have to step up and provide constant pressure on Jacory Harris.

However, Robinson cannot do it all by himself; The inexperienced safeties will have to play solidly and consistently if FSU wants to beat the 'Canes.

Florida State's offense should hammer Miami's defense on almost every drive. Inversely, Miami's offense may do the same to Florida State's defense. That will all depend on if newly hired Mark Whipple has his guys into the right form.

Overall, it seems like the Seminoles are a stronger team. But again, no matter how uneven the match-up may seem, the game is usually a close one. All FSU fans are praying that it does not come down to a field goal, as Miami has the edge over Florida State in that department.

However, the game will probably be full of touchdowns, not field goals. Scoring wise, look for the game to be similar to last year's.

Will The Cavaliers Make Changes?

Yates Boykin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:07:57 -0400

During the regular season, the Cavaliers posted the best record in the NBA (66-16). Heading into the playoffs, the Cavs were a heavy favorite to win the Eastern Conference, and they deserved that prediction.

However, the Cavs could not play up to the expectations. They lost to the Orlando Magic in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Now there are two questions that need to be answered: Why did the Cavs put up such a poor performance in the Orlando series, and do changes need to be made to avoid another disappointing season?

Why did the Cavaliers put up such a poor performance in the Orlando series? It wasn't LeBron James, obviously. He averaged more than 38 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the series. Those stats are almost unparalleled in NBA playoff history.

After seeing those stats, and then seeing the outcome of the Orlando series, it can be concluded that LeBron James needs some help.

First, the Cavaliers are poorly coached. Sure, Mike Brown won Coach of the Year, but if you really scrutinize and study the Orlando series, you will realize that the Cavs were clueless.

Coach Brown really let his team down. He did not have an answer to the Magic's three-point shooting, or Dwight Howard's post play. He just sat back and expected his players to keep doing the same thing over and over on defense, in hopes that it might work.

I am not a coach, but Mike Brown should have tried something else on defense. He should have at least attempted a zone, or something that might have thrown off the Magic.

No, instead he wanted to stick to some odd form of double-teaming Dwight Howard. The Cleveland players half-guarded, half-fouled Howard, which resulted in Howard completely taking over.

Coach Brown should have stuck one man on Howard and completely hacked him, even though Howard was making his free throws. Trade Dwight Howard foul shots for wide open threes. It sounds logical to me, but I guess it did not sound logical to Mike Brown.

Secondly, the Cavaliers need a consistent and solid wing-man to assist James.

Mo Williams is supposed to be that guy, but he proved that he cannot be that guy each game. Sure, every player is going to have a down game, but Williams had too many down games. Those down games proved to be costly.

Wally Szczerbiak was also supposed to be a consistent go-to guy. His position on the team is different from Mo Williams', but he was supposed to be the player who you could rely on to hit big shots.

Szczerbiak's play in the series proved that he is not a reliable or even a solid basketball player.

It is apparent that the Cleveland Cavaliers need to make changes. They need something or someone. They need real change. Maybe all they need to do is seek counsel from President Obama.

If President Obama is not available for counsel, then I think the Cavalier's general manager, Danny Ferry, is the next best option. Or, maybe he is not.

A lot of the Cavaliers woes can be blamed on Mr. Ferry. During the regular season, Wally Szczerbiak's (which I stated earlier as being an unreliable and weak basketball player) contract was expiring. Many teams would have taken Wally in a heartbeat in attempt to save money.

The Cavs could have picked up a post man to back up Zydrunas Ilgauskus, or they could have picked up a tall perimeter player.

Instead, Danny Ferry decided to keep the below mediocre Szczerbiak.

All of that is in the past, however. So, what can be done to avoid another disappointing season?

The Cavaliers' front office could sit back and hope for another chance for a title, or they can make changes to guarantee another chance for a title. It is completely up to them.

My guess is that they will make some changes. The Cavaliers need some better players to surround their superstar.

If only minor changes are made, and Cleveland is set up for another disappointing season, then I would not blame LeBron if he declined to re-sign.

Can Antone Smith Keep Up the Momentum for Florida State?

Yates Boykin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:28:02 -0400

It has been a rough journey so far for Florida State running back Antone Smith

Coming out of high school, it did not seem like there were going to be any struggles for the star running back. He led Pahokee High School to the state football title and rushed for an amazing 276 yards and three touchdowns in the championship game. He topped off the season with an outstanding 2814 yards and 44 touchdowns.

He was ranked as the top running back recruit in the country and ranked as the No. 25 player overall by Rivals.com. He was a Parade All-American, the Palm Beach County Player of the Year, and the Old Spice National Player of the Year. He was also voted the MVP of the Nike Camp and while there, he recorded a staggering 4.25 40-yard dash. He played in the CalFlorida Bowl and was named the offensive MVP. During his high school career, he rushed for over 6,000 yards.

Smith was heavily recruited by a list of colleges and seemed destined to be the next great running back to attend Miami University. But he surprised everyone, including his mother, when he committed to Florida State University.

Fast forward a few months. It is Smith's freshman season at FSU. He is third string, but he has had some great runs including a 74-yard scamper in which he embarrassed most of the Duke football team. It looks like he will be huge in the next few years.

Fast forward a year to the 2006 season. Smith is playing well, but he dislocates his elbow midway through the season.

Fast forward another year to the 2007 season. Smith is doing fine, but he looks worse than he did when he was a freshman. When is he going to live up to his five-star potential?

Now we are finally to the present season. Smith is having a breakout year. He is practically carrying the offense on his shoulders. In his last three games, Smith has rushed for 335 yards with eight touchdowns. This is an awfully impressive stat, considering Smith only totaled three touchdowns all of last year.

He has faced some pretty tough defenses, including Miami, who boasted the No. 7 rush defense at the time. The pressure did not get to Smith, however. He had four rushing touchdowns, one of which was a crucial fourth quarter, 20-yard touchdown.

Let's not dwell in the past though. This week, Smith has to deal with another monster by the name of Virginia Tech. The Hokies defensive tackles John Graves and Cordarrow Thompson will play a big factor in the attempt to stop Smith and the FSU running game. The Seminole offense has been clicking lately, so the pressure is heaped on the defensive line of Virginia Tech. Smith should be able to keep his momentum going this week.

The Seminole Nation is pleased with Smith's contribution this season, despite the past frustration. Now, they just need him to rush them to one more win, and then one more win, until the ACC title is in reach.

It all depends on Antone Smith's feet. So, make your momma proud Antone, and show her why you chose Florida State.

Why Not Come To Florida State, Trent Richardson?

Yates Boykin — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:37:54 -0400

Hey, my name is Trent Richardson. Over the summer I gave a "soft" verbal commitment to the University of Alabama. I look forward to playing under Nick Saban, but I am still visiting some schools. I like to keep my options open.

I will be at the upcoming Florida-LSU game this Saturday. Should be a good game. Those two teams are still on my list. The game will decide a whole lot.

A team that I have not planned on visiting is Florida State. They are making their way into the picture. I have watched some of their games this year. They need a bigger, more physical running back.

Their win last week over Miami was impressive. The running back, Antone Smith, had a huge game. He had four touchdowns. But, the bad news for FSU is: they lose Smith next year. They have a good backup in Jermaine Thomas, but I think I am better.

But it wasn't the running game that impressed me the most; it was the play of the offensive line. They handled the Miami defensive line with ease. And I think there are three freshmen and two sophomores who start on that line. Wow!

And wasn't Miami ranked like seventh in the nation in rush defense? That is pretty good. I might like to run behind that offensive line.

Oh yeah, I also really liked the aggressive play-calling by Jimbo Fisher. He knows how to run the game. It will be exciting to see what he will do once he is the head coach.

I don't know if he can get the 'Noles back to where they were in the '90s, but I guess they are showing signs of returning there.

I don't know, maybe I will check out the Seminoles at the Virginia Tech game. It is not too far from home. Tallahassee is closer to Pensacola than Tuscaloosa, I guess.

I just don't know what to do right now. I should probably just focus on my last season here at Escambia, than worry more about my decision.

Sorry Miami, Florida State Is Ahead

Yates Boykin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:19:58 -0400

Hate to say it (well, not really), but Florida State is further ahead of Miami on the path back to the good ol' days. The Seminoles showed this Saturday when they beat the 'Canes/Ducks 41-39 at Dolphin Stadium.

The hype going into the game was not the same as it has been in the past years, but the game itself looked the same. It was full of crazy plays: reverses, a wide receiver pass, two muffed punts, and tons more.

Oh yeah, there were no missed field goals, which was a relief. But it was definitely not ordinary.

The game was essentially a test. Florida State got an A and got that much closer to passing the class. Miami failed the test, meaning they are a step behind FSU.

Both of these programs are looking to rebuild and return to where they were. Right now, Florida State is closer than Miami is.

I think the problem with Miami is the coaching staff. Head coach Randy Shannon is a great recruiter, but he needs better coaches surrounding him. On the other hand, Florida State has a very strong coaching staff—maybe the best in the country.

With all of that said, does Florida State still have a chance to go to the ACC championship? I say yes. With all of the crazy stuff going on right now in college football, anything is possible.

If Alabama can win games consecutively and Auburn can still be ranked 20th with two losses, then heck, Florida State can go to Tampa and come out victorious.

Sorry Miami, no hope for you. At least not yet.

Please Pray for Florida State Football

Yates Boykin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:52:09 -0400

I don't think I really have to state this because I think it is common knowledge, but the game last week against Wake Forest was pretty lame. A pitiful 12-3 loss. Man, what a letdown. My last article is now crushed.

Well, enough of that. I have done my best to forget that nightmare.

Let's look to Saturday, where Florida State plays the undefeated Colorado Buffaloes in Jacksonville. This is pretty good news for 'Nole fans: Florida State has gone 8-1 overall in Jacksonville, including one last year against Alabama.

This is good news, but I do not think it excites 'Noles fans too much. It seems like nothing is exciting after that nightmare last week. What fans can be excited about is the defense. Just think if the offense could play football. How amazing would that be, and how much better would Florida State be? Gosh, that bothers me.

In reality, Florida State's offense will probably not explode. Although, last year, in Jacksonville, Xavier Lee did take the offense to another level. But can it happen again this year? And can it consistently stay that way?

For the sake of Florida State (that kind of rhymes) and the fans, I am praying earnestly that Jimbo Fisher and his offense will produce touchdowns. Not interceptions or stupid penalties—touchdowns.

Doesn't that sound nice? And for all of you 'Noles fans out there: Please do the same. Florida State needs it.

Can Florida State Do It?

Yates Boykin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:48:50 -0400

The Atlantic Coast Conference can be described as a joke so far this football season. With all of that set aside, there is a team that can win this conference as easily as it did in the 90's.

This team is Florida State. Those of you haters, go ahead and get your laughs out. This is serious.

In Florida State's first two games of the season, they dominated like they were supposed to. Of course, these teams were Western Carolina and Chattanooga, but the Seminoles won without many key starters: Preston Parker, Budd Thacker, and so on.

This Saturday is the first real test for the 'Noles when they host Wake Forest. I will be attending that game and I am very excited. I am not only excited about that particular game, but the whole season. I'm not the only one. Those first two games aroused the Seminole nation, and there is a reason for that.

As I stated above, Clemson and Virginia Tech lost games they were supposed to win. Florida State is not picked to win the ACC, but those losses came from the "strongest" teams in the conference. This is one reason why the Seminole nation is excited and very hopeful for this season.

Of course, there is also the team. 'Nole fans are not just depending on other teams' performances, they are depending on Jimbo Fisher's offense and Mickey Andrew's defense to win this conference and finish the season with a strong record.

The offense is led by sophomore quarterback Christian Ponder. He was chosen starter over senior Drew Weatherford. Ponder looked extremely promising in the first two games, throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions.

Some say he is the savior of Florida State. With all of the dynamic wide receivers that Florida State has, Ponder has the chance to become that savior and make the Seminole offense a threat once again.

Not everything rides on Ponder though. A young and inexperienced offensive line will have to protect him. So far, there has not been any trouble with the offensive line, but it will prove to be the biggest weakness as the season goes on.

That is why Christian Ponder was picked over Drew Weatherford. Ponder is much more versatile.

As they say, defense wins ballgames. Defense has always been a strength for the Seminoles. This year it stays the same, and it will be led by Everette Brown and his defensive line.

A lot of people have been skeptical of Florida State's defensive line. They have a reason to: the line is inexperienced and shallow. But if Florida State wants to win, Brown will have to show up and lead.

The linebackers and defensive backs are pretty stout. But the d-backs will have to stop the big plays, which was a problem last season.

There is not a lack of experience or depth this year, so the 'Nole d-backs have no excuse. They are not the weakness this year, and they need to keep it that way.

With all of these things in mind, Florida State can win the ACC and get a BCS berth. If they keep playing like they have, those two aspirations are definitely possible.

Now we wait and see if head coach Bobby Bowden can lead his Seminoles and maybe get some wins along the way.

Is This Bobby Bowden's Last Season at Florida State?

Yates Boykin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:51:29 -0400

A new season of football is around the corner for Florida State, and there is a buzzing question going around: Is this Bobby Bowden's last season?

Bowden has named his successor, Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, so there is already a sense of change in Tallahassee. But should Bowden step aside?

Bobby Bowden has been coaching at Florida State since 1976. He has won two national championships, both in the '90s. He holds the record for most wins in Division I football with 373, one ahead of Penn State head coach, Joe Paterno.

Bowden turned the Florida State football program into a legitimate force. He's done many things for FSU, and 99 percent of those things are good.

Reading those facts, you may think, "Why should he step aside?"

'Nole fans have been by Bowden's side since he stepped on the field named after him. But the past dismal seasons have gotten some supporters to hop on the Jimbo Fisher train, which they believe will take them back to how it was.

The faith in Bobby is slowly shifting over to his successor.

During the recent ACC media day, Bowden said, "I'm still the head football coach, but I know we've got to win more than we're winning now. I'm not interested in getting out, though. I plan on getting this thing back to where it ought to be, and go on from there. Time will tell."

But is there enough time?

Is this the last season for Bobby? Should he step aside? Can he get back to the top, or does Jimbo Fisher have a better shot?

I love to see the fight in Bobby Bowden, and I would love to see him back on top—but as he said, time will tell.